In 1977 or 8, I had my first decent bike stolen. A Dawes, that I'd had converted from 5 to 10 speed at Tommy Godwin's shop in Kings Heath (the other Tommy Godwin). The bike I did my first 200 on (dressed in trainers and jeans).My housemates were both amazed and embarrassed as I sobbed that evening.

I still look out for it.

Logged

Quote from: Kim

And remember that friends who organise things on Facebook aren't proper friends anyway.

Martin 'Cycling Silk's Brompton was stolen from a train at Twickenham at 23.45 1/8/2015.

I imagine a lot go missing from trains. The TOCs forbid you from locking bikes to the rack so it's just asking to be taken at an intermediate station. Thinking like a thief, provided you ensured you left the train with the stolen bike after everyone else, just before a station attendant came to close the still-open door, you'd be home free. Wear a hoodie or cap as an anti-CCTV measure.

I think it might be best to use a flimsy cable lock and attach the bike to the rack unless you can actually see the rack from your seat. It's unlikely anyone will really complain.

I imagine a lot go missing from trains. The TOCs forbid you from locking bikes to the rack so it's just asking to be taken at an intermediate station.

The IEP prototype dangly bike space had a loop for locking bikes to, which could be un-looped using a carriage key if staff needed to remove the locked bike for whatever reason. Not a bad idea, except that its presence further restricted the bike geometries that could be stowed, and limits the second cyclist's ability to play tetris. The consensus amongst our group of testers was that we'd rather that cycle reservations automatically gave you a reservation for the seats overlooking the bike spaces.

Quote

I think it might be best to use a flimsy cable lock and attach the bike to the rack unless you can actually see the rack from your seat. It's unlikely anyone will really complain.

I generally strap bikes down with a ratchet strap, and apply the rear brake to improve stability, which probably helps deter opportunistic wandering-off by increasing the faff factor. Obviously the recumbent is unlikely to be opportunistically stolen anyway, but it's the Brompton that I really worry about, and tend to keep it within sight.

In 1977 or 8, I had my first decent bike stolen. A Dawes ... I still look out for it.

Similar story here. I used to commute from Stoke Newington to Soho on my 10-speed Dawes. One day I got rammed into a kerb by a taxi. Bike was okay, but my back was out. Hobbled to work & locked the bike to a handy banister in the lobby of the building where I worked - out of sight from the street (but no receptionist - they were on the 1st floor). Every day for two weeks, while my back was recovering, I'd come into the lobby, nod hello to my bike, and walk up the stairs. One morning I came in, nodded to the bike, started up the stairs, then realised the bike wasn't there.

Company called the cops. They actually turned up quite quickly. Found that the thief had left behind bolt cutters worth more than the bike. I asked the cops if I could keep them. But apparently you're not allowed to hang on to 'evidence'. Never heard another thing about it. Insurance had run out a month before & I'd forgotten to renew.

Martin 'Cycling Silk's Brompton was stolen from a train at Twickenham at 23.45 1/8/2015.

I imagine a lot go missing from trains. The TOCs forbid you from locking bikes to the rack so it's just asking to be taken at an intermediate station.

Out of interest, does that include in guard wagons? I've always been allowed to strap mine in and lock them on. Or have I jus been lucky with the guards?

Especially there, ostensibly because of restricted access in emergencies, or so I'm told by GWR staff I know.

I'm guilty of locking my bike up though in spaces where I don't consider it would be in the way for all the reasons people cite above. If my bike is out of sight even for 30 seconds I lock it up. If I'm going to be away from it for any length of time then I lock it with two d-locks and a cable lock.

I probably wouldn't be massively upset if my Ribble got stolen as it's mostly just for commuting but I would be heartbroken if my Specialized got nicked as I've done almost all of the interesting stuff I have done as an adult cyclist on that bike.

I know many of you don't have facebook, and I''l try to get the pictures for you later.

My friend got his 2 fatbikes stolen last night. They are unique in their build/color coordinationand therefore not possible to sell here in Denmark.So if you see them adiviticed anywhere, would you please notify me so the bikes can get back to it's original owner.

On trains with separate bike sections like an HST or Pendalino, if there are 2 of us travelling, then I lock both bikes together. They're not locked to the train, so the train staff can't complain, and it would make it very difficult to get both bikes out together. Although I always have a look out the window at intermediate stops just to check what's happening.

Logged

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” -Albert Einstein

I know many of you don't have facebook, and I''l try to get the pictures for you later.

My friend got his 2 fatbikes stolen last night. They are unique in their build/color coordinationand therefore not possible to sell here in Denmark.So if you see them adiviticed anywhere, would you please notify me so the bikes can get back to it's original owner.